I was never truly comfortable, as others have stated, until the second try...although I think that the game was probably effectively won with Holdsworth's knock on from the drop out...about six minutes were left at that stage, I think.
I saw the game back last night on the iPlayer, and didn't think it was as bad as others have said, although I agree the quality in the last 25 or so got worse, as Hull had to chance it.
Hull also blew their own chances...the pass into touch in the first half, when there was clear daylight down the wing, and Charnley's superb chase back on Shaul, who I certainly thought was going to score.
No one seems to have mentioned how important Pat's kick to convert the first try was, that might just have given the morale of Hull a little knock as well. Stand to be corrected if I'm wrong.
Probably give the game another look again later in the week just to make sure.

This was the most encouraging aspect for me. IMO we have left ourselves open to that criticism in the past but on Saturday I said at the time we look like a team that can now find a way to win. Perhaps it's down to the team gaining more experience of big games, perhaps it's a flash in the pan. Who knows?

What I do know is that this team will be stronger and more difficult to beat when it matters as a result of prevailing on Saturday. Given that, we will need to improve in the play offs and I think we will.

I have watched the game again and it’s not that bad! Reading some of the posts on these boards you’d think Wigan (and only Wigan) had instigated the total demise of rugby league in this country. Let me then on behalf of the town, the club and myself apologise to all those unbiased neutral fans, oh and of course Hull FC too for dragging their name down as well.

Ask me if I care. It could have finished 1-0, 66-64 or 16-0 and I would have equally not cared. The fact is we're the 19 time Challenge Cup winners and I'll take that whichever way you wish to give it me. I hope we play 3 equally dull games in late September early October.

Whatever we do we will be the "Bad guys". Do i care, do i ****....

Correct. TBH I like the fact nobody likes us. Makes it more special knowing everything you achieve pees them off that little bit more.

I'm sure every fan from every club is just as passionate about their team as we are, we just have more to crow about....

And we might as well give them what they want/expect... Arrogance..

As the outcome was in doubt until the last 5 mins then it had an element of tension most of the way through - certainly from a Wigan fans perspective.

Wigan played the conditions, something we have been criticised for not doing in recent big games.

If we'd have tried to be expansive and dropped the ball every set we'd have been ridiculed.

If that was a World Cup final and England played the same way do you think anyone would have moaned about the style of the win or quality of the game ?

Quite correct.

Lets look at this in perspective:

"Neutral fans" wanted Wigan to lose the final. Wigan win (only securing the win with five minutes to go) - "Neutral fans" claim worst Cup Final ever.

"Neutral fans" wanted Wigan to lose the semi final. Wigan win (playing some excellent rugby league) - "Neutral fans" claim up there with the worst semi finals ever.

"Neutral fans" wanted Wigan to lose the quarter final vs Widnes. Wigan win (playing some excellent rugby league) - "Neutral fans" claim it was a very poor game.


Let's hope this trend continues.

No but the Yorkshires would still find an excuse to boo Sam.

I didn't relax until that second try - there was still time in the last 10 minutes for errors to give the game to either side & it was only after that the neutrals (aka "anyone but Wigan"icon_wink.gif started walking out.

Only the media were hyping it up for a repeat of '85: [inobody [/iwith any sense should have even thought that was even remotely possible. It wasn't pretty, but I'll take an ugly win any day over a beautifully played loss.

Exactly, winners are grinners.......

Think i would go to the dentist to have a tooth pulled than to sit and watch that garbage for 80 minutes again.

I would happily pull it for you.... If your team had been in that game, i care little who you support, you would have appreciated the difficult conditions, and been crowing about the result.. Now get back into your sad little pit of despair, and stop making yourself look silly...

Play it the 'Leeds way' like we did on Saturday.

I've heard quite a few Leeds fans having a dig. You wouldn't think they'd won their grand finals playing wet weather, safety first rugby league.

It was a game of territory - strong defence and quality kicking. It was only not a spectacle because both sides were so relentless in defence and obviously the rain didn't help with the ball handling. Is that really worse than in '99 and '06 when Leeds and Saints hammered London and Huddersfield? Not for me. Not that I'm that bothered, we have won the Super League and the Challenge Cup (twice) in the last four seasons, and we can still have a crack at winning the Super League again yet. How many trophies before we can start talking about dynasties?

This is nothing to do with who i support or weather conditions at the end of the day it was 100 % cr@p

Ok.

Why are you being so harsh on Hull F.C.?

Well I was about to offer my congratulations on your win, but your arrogant attitude has made me change my mind.

Just watched the Sky Sports coverage. And will probably watch it again tonight.


We are the boys.......Still at the top!!

No, I don't think they would. Although such a scenario might just be stretching the bounds of credibility just a touch

Which part? A mcbanana side reaching a final, or a mcbanana side playing a poor final? England with the Burgess'ss could reach a final and it could be another wet knockonathon. Unless you meant something else, please enlighten us?

Assuming we get to the final and assuming we face NZ or Aus, I doubt either will play as poorly as Hull, regardless of conditions. So I can't envisage England fans celebrating a win achieved in the way yours was. But as the poster I responded to suggested, I certainly wouldn't complain if it was. And I certainly don't begrudge you lot celebrating yours; as I've already implied I'd do exactly the same.

Don't let a rain soaked CC dampen your spirits for the world cup, with the pack we've got we have every chance. Once the next set of fixtures are played all the remarks about the final will be long forgotten, personally I can't wait for that, I've never known so much fuss about a final.